Machine for adding numbers



J. B. NEW BROUGH.

Calculator.

Patented Sept. 28

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UNITED STATES PATEN FFEQE.

JOHN B. NEWB ROUGH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

MACHINE FOR ADDING NUMBERS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 21,621, dated September 28, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN B. NnwBRoUoH, of St. Louis, State of Missouri,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Counting-Machines; and Ido declare that the following is a full and exact description there of,reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the lettersmarked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the arrangement of two wheels, orrather, a dial and a wheel, placed. horizontal and parallel with eachother, inside of a box; and, in combination, a lever or finger-piecewhich operates on the dial or larger wheel, by passing through a slot inthe box; a pointer being so fastened to the finger-piece that it willpoint to the figures of the index, marked on the outside of the box,thus making the operation for adding numbers merely the moving back andforth of the finger-piece on the index to the numbers required to beadded.

To enable others skilled in the art to mak and use my invention I willproceed to describe its construction and operation.

Figure 1, is a perspective view; A, an index, numbering from O to 99inclusive; B, a slot through which the answer is seen; C, a nut forturning the dial backward when setting the machine; D, a nut forsuspending the obstructing wheel and also for setting the same beforecommencing to add; E, a catch to prevent the dial from turning backwardwhile adding; F, finger-piece, or end of the lever, by which the dial isturned while adding.

Fig. 2, a perspective view of the dial, which has a certain number ofteeth on its periphery thus being a ratchet wheel; G, circles offigures, each circle containing numbers exactly equal to the number ofteeth on the periphery, and each circle continuing to rise in numbersfrom where the preceding circle was completed.

Fig. 3, a perspective view of the obstructing wheel, which is used forobstructing the eye from seeing but one circle on the dial at one time;H, slots through which the dial is seen; this wheel is moved forward thelength of each slot, for every revolution of the dial, by a cog I, Fig.2, coming against the cogs on the obstructing wheel.

Fig. 4t, a view of the lever, by which the machine is worked; J, theprong which catches in the teeth of the dial by passing through a slotin the box, underneath the index, A, Fig. 1; K, pointer or hand whichslides along on the index to such numbers as are required to be added.

The manner of working my machine is as follows, viz: Seize the end ofthe lever or finger-piece with the thumb and forefinger of the righthand, draw it back to 0 on the index; with the thumb and finger of theleft hand set the obstructing wheel by turnin it back until it is set,then by the nut C, Fig. 1, turn the dial back until it strikes the cogsof the obstructing wheel, but in order to turn the dial back, the rightthumb must press down the catch E, Fig. 1. Now for example,add 7, 16,18, 91 together,-move the lever along the index until the pointer restson 7, now draw it back to 0, again move it to 4-6, then draw back againto 0, then to 18, then to 0, then to 91; and the result 162 will be seenthrough the slot B, Fig. 1. Thus being able to add up two rows orcolumns of figures at one time, simply by moving the finger-piece backand forth on the index; and, with a little practice, wit-h as muchrapidity as the figures can be read.

I do not claim as my invention the rotating dial and the manner of itsmovements; but

I do claim as my invention The obstructing wheel containing a successivenumber of slots corresponding to the circles of figures on the dial;when arranged as shown and described.

JOHN B. NEXVBROUGH.

Signed in our presence THOMAS J. DAILY, ERASTUS R. GREEN.

